Despite this movie's low budget, it boasts a variety of talented actors and a killer soundtrack. On top of that, it is a cinematic masterpiece, using lots of symbolism and thematic elements.
It seems impossible that this film could be culturally invisible. The setting is in the modern 21st century, and teen pregnancy is a major aspect of the movie. However, the film remains unbiased in the way that it doesn't seem to choose sides on the topic. Juno does not have an abortion, appealing to the pro-life crowd, but chooses on her own accord not to have an abortion, which probably pleases those that are pro-choice. This is very controversial and hard to do without at least offending one party, but Juno avoids the conflict in a clever way that leaves everyone pretty happy.
An important thematic element to note is how time is manipulated in the film. The story takes place a little over the nine months in which Juno is pregnant, comes to term, and gives birth. However, the plot only highlights important or significant events during this duration of time. For example, how her relationship with Bleeker evolves, important moments she spends with the adoptive father, and the actual birth. It is not a day by day recollection of pregnant Juno but rather a collection of events.
A technique used throughout the movie is invisible editing, in the form of parallel editing. A good example of this is when Juno is at the abortion clinic for her appointment. In this scene, cutting is used to show Juno as well as her point of view (what she is seeing). The symbol of fingernails is also prominent in this scene. Immediately before, Juno is informed that her unborn child has already developed fingernails. This is obviously on her mind since the scene is filled with a variety of fingernail references and noises while in the waiting room. The scene shows Juno listening to a noise, and then cuts to her perspective, so we can see what is making that noise. This is obviously building up tension and ultimately causing her to run out of the clinic, not having the abortion. It also causes a lot of tension with the viewer.
In sum, Juno is one of my favorite indie movies. Its light hearted and witty humor speaks to me, as well as the protagonists teenage angst. Not to mention it caused me to develop a deep love for Kimya Dawson and it was early enough in Michael Cera's career that I didn't feel like he played the same character in every movie.
Sources:
Barsam, Richard Meran., and Dave Monahan. Looking at Movies: An Introduction to Film. New York: W.W. Norton &, 2010. Print.
Juno. Dir. Jason Reitman. Perf. Ellen Paige and Michael Cera. 2007. 20th Century Fox, 2008. DVD.
One of my favorite songs in the soundtrack, Sonic Youth's "Superstar"
It seems impossible that this film could be culturally invisible. The setting is in the modern 21st century, and teen pregnancy is a major aspect of the movie. However, the film remains unbiased in the way that it doesn't seem to choose sides on the topic. Juno does not have an abortion, appealing to the pro-life crowd, but chooses on her own accord not to have an abortion, which probably pleases those that are pro-choice. This is very controversial and hard to do without at least offending one party, but Juno avoids the conflict in a clever way that leaves everyone pretty happy.
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| Well, for the most part they try not to offend anyone |
A technique used throughout the movie is invisible editing, in the form of parallel editing. A good example of this is when Juno is at the abortion clinic for her appointment. In this scene, cutting is used to show Juno as well as her point of view (what she is seeing). The symbol of fingernails is also prominent in this scene. Immediately before, Juno is informed that her unborn child has already developed fingernails. This is obviously on her mind since the scene is filled with a variety of fingernail references and noises while in the waiting room. The scene shows Juno listening to a noise, and then cuts to her perspective, so we can see what is making that noise. This is obviously building up tension and ultimately causing her to run out of the clinic, not having the abortion. It also causes a lot of tension with the viewer.
In sum, Juno is one of my favorite indie movies. Its light hearted and witty humor speaks to me, as well as the protagonists teenage angst. Not to mention it caused me to develop a deep love for Kimya Dawson and it was early enough in Michael Cera's career that I didn't feel like he played the same character in every movie.
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| Juno and Paulie jamming out to some Kimya Dawson |
Sources:
Barsam, Richard Meran., and Dave Monahan. Looking at Movies: An Introduction to Film. New York: W.W. Norton &, 2010. Print.
Sonic Youth. "Superstar." Delaney & Bonnie. If I Were a Carpenter. 1994. Music Video.
All photos and gifs were taken from tumblr.
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